Harrisburg softball holds off Red Devils for first SIRR Ohio crown since 2004

Hannah Reid turns this unassisted double play in the top of the seventh inning to end the game against Murphysboro Friday as the Bulldogs went on to win 1-0 and claim the SIRR Ohio crown for the first time since 2004.SHAWN PILKINGTON | For The Register

Staff Report

updated: 4/29/2019 10:21 AM

Staff Report

HARRISBURG -- When opportunity knocks, you have to answer.

That didn't happen very often Friday when Harrisburg and Murphsyboro squared off for the Southern Illinois River-To-River Ohio Division crown, but for the host Bulldogs, it did when Mya King blooped a single over first base in the fourth inning to score Riley Harrison, giving Harrisburg the 1-0 lead that held and provided Harrisburg its first conference title since 2004.

"The older you get, the more you appreciate things like this," longtime Harrisburg head coach Red Stafford said. "It's been a while and I'm really happy for this group. They have worked very hard and it just means a lot to me. I've done this for several years now and I know how tough it is to win in this conference. Our conference is very competitive -- from top to bottom -- and I'm just happy with the win it turned out."

Harrisburg (23-3 overall, 9-2 SIRR Ohio) had just four hits on the day as King, along with, Madeline Rider, Kerrigan Payne and Hannah Reid all went 1-for-2.

It was Payne's double to centerfield with two outs in the fourth that led to the one and only run for the Bulldogs, against a Red Devil ball club that Stafford had nothing but praise for.

Payne was also the pitcher of record as the freshman left-hander improved to 18-3 on the year as she tossed a three hitter. Payne went the distance, facing 25 batters and struck out four.

"Murphysboro is a good hitting ball club," Stafford added. "They can flat hit the ball and they have all year, but Kerrigan pitched a great ballgame."

More drama ensued in the top of the seventh inning with the Red Devils threatening as they had runners on first and second with one out, but the rally was cut short as Reid fielded a ball up the middle, tagged second on her own and flipped to first to end the ballgame.

"It was an outstanding play," Stafford said. "It's one we needed in that moment and Hannah got it done."